HANWORTH SPORTS COME BACK TO SNATCH SUNDAY INTERMEDIATE CUP ON PENALTIES
The Middlesex FA Sunday Intermediate Cup final was contested on Sunday, 14th April at Hendon FC’s superb Silver Jubilee Park venue. The teams involved were Hanworth Sports FC and West Drayton FC, who both play in Division 2 of the Middlesex County Sunday Football League.
The Sunday Intermediate Cup was first competed for in the 1966-67 season, when it was won by Harefield FC.
30 teams entered the competition for the current season.
Both clubs especially deserve to be congratulated on reaching this final, as they both had to overcome some really formidable opposition to do so. Both semi-finals went to penalty shoot-outs and before that, both finalists had also survived a shoot-out.in a previous round.
Hanworth Sports, who play at Hanworth Airparc, were formed in 1997. West Drayton, whose home ground is Little Harlington Playing Fields, were born out of West Drayton Boys Club in 2015. WDBC were established in 1941.
Hanworth Sports had a bye in round 1 and then won a penalty shoot-out, following a 2-2 draw (at home) against North West Jets in round 2. They beat West London Warriors 3-2 (away) in the quarter-final and then overcame AFC Oakwood, in a semi-final penalty shoot-out, after a goalless away draw.
West Drayton won a round 1 penalty shoot-out against Club Internacional de Futbol Manresa 24, after a 3-3 home draw. They beat AFC Grove 5-2 (home) in round 2 and West London Athletic 4-2 (home) in the quarter final. Their away semi-final, against Bedfont Sunday was 1-1 after normal time.
The teams produced an entertaining game of the highest standard. Hanworth Sports took the lead after 18 mins but West Drayton equalised almost immediately and took the lead shortly before the half time interval. They retained that lead throughout an exciting second half, until Sports equalised in added time. So both teams had to fight out yet another dramatic penalty shoot-out, which went to the sudden death stage.
West Drayton dominated the opening stages. Lee Wilson’s shot was turned over the bar by keeper, Ryan Kear. Lee took the resulting corner and Ryan saved at Joe Senatore’s feet.
Then, James McPherson connected with captain, Charlie Hester’s ball into the Sports’ box but his effort was wide.
Joe Carter headed James McPherson’s centre over the crossbar. Then James had two shots saved by Ryan Kear.
However, Hanworth Sports scored first, in the 18th minute. Lloyd Vaughan centred from the left and Harry Carter, jumping to beat Jimmy Hamlet to the ball, turned it into his own net.
Hanworth Sports’ lead only lasted for 2 minutes before Joe Carter headed home from Lee Wilson’s cross to equalise for West Drayton.
Marcelo Almeda had two attempts on West Drayton’s goal. He tested the keeper with a cross shot and then embarked on a run, which ended with a curling shot which passed just wide of the upright.
Ryan Kear saved from Charlie Hester, who had been released by Sam Drake and then pushed out Lee Wilson’s low freekick.
Sam Drake’s well hit strike gave West Drayton the lead, in the 42nd minute.
Half-time score: Hanworth Sports 1 West Drayton 2
West Drayton’s Joe Senatore made a good saving tackle on Marcelo Almeda, who was through on goal. Marcelo was then foiled by the outcoming keeper.
A low cross by Richard George found Jimmy Hamlet, whose shot was charged down.
A slick three player move ended with West Drayton’s Billy Bull driving wide of the post.
Marcelo Almeda was just wide with a glancing header from Richard George’s cross.
A slick move involving Richard George and Saranus Streibeka set up Marcelo, who again headed narrowly wide.
More goalmouth action followed before Hanworth Sports levelled the scores, in the 2nd of the 8 minutes added at the end of normal time. The equalising goal was scored by Saranus, who drove an angled shot into the top of the net.
The final scoring attempts came from Hanworth Sports. Marcelo Almeda’s overhead kick charged down and Saranus shot into the side netting.
Score after 90 minutes: Hanworth Sports 2 West Drayton 2
West Drayton went first in the penalty shoot-out.
The first two penalty takers, Billy Bull and Adam Beeches were successful.
Hanworth Sports’ keeper, Ryan Kear dived to his left to save West Drayton’s second shot, taken by George Thomas. Daniel Whyman converted to put Hanworth Sports ahead.
Sam Drake scoring with West Drayton’s third shot and George Burnham hitting an upright brought the scores level again.
The scores remained equal after the fourth pair of kicks were successfully converted by Hugo Lopes and Jack Hamlet.
The scores were still level after each side’s fifth kick. Ryan Kear made another diving save to keep out Caden Genovesi’s shot. Then Dale Beeches fired over the crossbar.
Therefore, we had to go to sudden death. West Drayton’s Charlie Hester cleared the crossbar with his kick. Sarunas Streibeka then netted to win the Cup for Hanworth Sports.
Penalty shoot-out score: West Drayton 3 Hanworth Sports 4.
The match was very well controlled by referee Iwan Pritchard. He received good support from his team.
The Guest of Honour was Middlesex FA Director, Nigel Hickes, who was introduced to the teams and match officials, before the kick off and presented the cup and mementoes, on the pitch, after the game. He chose Hanworth Sports’ outstanding midfielder, Richard George as Player of the Match.
Our thanks are given to Hendon FC for allowing us the use of their splendid facilities.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Hanworth Sports: Ryan Kear, Grant Latham, Daniel Whyman, Jack Hamlet (capt), Adam Beeches, Marcelo Almeda, Jimmy Hamlet, Richard George, Lloyd Vaughan, George Burnham and Lewis O Gorman.
Rolling substitutes: Dale Clements, Saranus Streibeka, Dale Beeches, Danny Knight and Hamzah Adnan.
Manager: Iain Hamlet
Assistant Manager: Daniel Hamlet
Physio: Richard Clements.
West Drayton: Jason North, Ben Hunt, Joe Senatore, Harry Carter, Sam Drake, James McPherson, Charlie Hester (capt), Caden Genovesi, Lee Wilson, Joe Carter and Callum Jones.
Rolling substitutes: Billy Bull, Hugo Lopes, Josh Fraser, Callum Williams and George Thomas.
Coach: George Chenery
Assistant Coach: Jack Daniels
Physio: David Payne.
Referee: Iwan Pritchard
Assistant Referees: Jorge Cadenas Poza and Ariel Ward
Fourth Official: Brett Mille.
Attendance: 154
Report: Jim Taylor